Stop The World (CD)

Black, Rock, & Ron

Hailing from Hollis Queens (and well influenced by their neighbors, RUN-DMC), Lord Black, The Ruler Master Rock, and Ron Scratch released their first single "Hard Rap" on Next Plateau in 86 under the name the Vicious Four. Released during the emergence of the "New School" where samplers and drum machines such as the Lynn Drum and the SP-12 hit the market, producers and hip-hop artists were better able to create a less expensive and more complex structure to tracks that wasn't previously available without having connections or a backing band. The era of loop heavy samples and drum breaks were upon us.

In 1987 Black, Rock & Ron hooked up with Jazzy Jay (Strong City) who produced their next single "That's How I'm Livin" also on Next Plateau. At the request of LL Cool J they then went on to be managed by the one and only Russell Simmons' Rush Town. Then getting signed to RCA Records Black, Rock and Ron put together the material for their debut album "Stop The World". With legendary engineers: the late Paul C. (Ultramagnetic MC’s, Super Love Cee & Cassanova Rudd, Organized Konfusion), DJ Doc (Boogie Down Productions, Spyder D), and Skeff Anselm (A Tribe Called Quest, Brand Nubian) at the boards they put out the underrated classic LP, a few 12 inch singles, and a couple videos. They gained a cult following overseas, the album "Stop the World" was released on the Supreme record label in the UK. It entered the UK album charts on 22 April 1989, and reached number 72. They were last involved with the Hip-Hop Against Apartheid - Ndodemnyama (Free South Africa) anti-apartheid song, but like some of the unfortunate rap artists of the time, Black, Rock & Ron just seemed to fall off into random rap obscurity.

That is until now, Get On Down in conjunction with Sony Music presents this dusty gem repackaged with an extended booklet featuring vintage never seen-promo photography, the first interview with all 3 members in over 20 years, a reprint of vintage HHC magazine cover story feature and Testimonial quotes from likes of Russell Simmons, Tragedy Khadafi and Uncle Ralph McDaniels.